Button wary of GP2 stars at Honda
Eurosport - Tue, 11 Nov 10:48:00 2008
Briton Jenson Button is hopeful of retaining his drive with Honda in 2009 - but knows the younger, skilled contenders that will test with the squad this month have the ability to take his seat.
Honda struggled to compete with their 2008 car as they concentrated on development for 2009, leaving Button and team-mate Rubens Barrichello frustrated.
The Japanese outfit are yet to announce their driver line-up for next season, and will give tests to GP2 pair Bruno Senna and Lucas di Grassi in the next two weeks.
Button, appearing at a media briefing for the Race of Champions event at Wembley Stadium, paused when asked about his future.
"I don't know how to answer that one really," he finally answered. "I'm going testing in a couple of weeks, which is positive, I guess."
Speaking afterwards to Eurosport, he said: "I haven't signed anything, but they (Honda) know how I feel and I think I know how they feel. Hopefully we'll sort something out soon.
"Bruno and Lucas are both testing in Barcelona and it'll be interesting to see how they cope with it.
"These days for drivers in GP2 it's not such a big leap: the GP2 car is only six or seven seconds slower than an F1 car and probably not that much slower than our car last season. And it's slick tyres that they race on, so very similar to next year."
Button, 28, is an experienced hand in Formula One after nine years in the sport. He finished third in the World Championship behind the Ferraris in 2004, but has struggled to compete at the top end of the grid since.
He said his 2008 tribulations were difficult to bear, but that everything could come good in 2009 with former Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn at the helm having overseen development on the new car.
"The last couple of years have been tough," he told Eurosport. "I couldn't even see a future for the team. I pushed hard to get Ross on board because we were lacking in technical understanding and leadership.
"There were areas within the team that were not very strong and he has positioned the talented people within Honda in other roles, not just brought in new people.
"It's really working: You can't see it on the circuit with the car, but at the factory the atmosphere is very positive.
"We haven't been working on this car since the fourth or fifth race - it makes me look bad, but I can put up with that if we build a good car next year."
Button said that the rule changes that come into force from next season will help Honda as they bid to close the gap on the top teams.
"There's a lot of regulation changes: we have the aerodynamics, adjustable front wings - which will be interesting - slick tyres and KERS," he said.
"The changes are good news for us. They mean we're not in a situation where we are three years behind everyone: (usually) you can't catch up in one year, it takes three or four - if you catch up at all.
"They are positive rule changes, which will help the racing. Whether we will be on the podium though or winning races we won't know until we see how the other teams have progressed.
"(But) we have no excuses next year, none of us. It's a completely new season and new regulations; then 2010 is the crunch year: if we are not winning by then, something has got to change."
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Comment 14 - 33 of 73
Hot Rats - Damon will always be my F1 favourite - such a gentleman - and as you say, a great sense of humour. I saw him once at the F1 End of Season Party at the Albert Hall when he did a set with his musician mates - his hair was everywhere ! Thank goodness he's seen the light (so to speak) and had it cut. And, by the way, at the time we said stay with the day job Damon !!!!!!!
Jenson has the talent but just needs a chariot to match his skills. Looking forward to his ressurection in 2009.
Hot Rats - yeah BAR got taken over by Honda.
Mark W: I thought that BAR and Honda were basically the same team?
m.e.jenner I remember when Damon Hill was at Williams with Villeneuve. One of the mechanics said that at the end of a race Villeneuve's car was almost a total wreck and yet Hill's car could do the race again. Damon was really smooth and I think he has a great sense of humour. I can remember when he grew his hair long and looked a bit like me. Totally mad.
f1lola - yes he made a mistake when messing BAR and Williams about, but I think he has been more than loyal to Honda since and deserves a shot in the new car.
are we talking about the same guy that screwed around two teams not only once but twice and now he thinks he is owed a job. what a jerk.
get sato back!
You're right Bilko, when Jens first hit the scene he was compared to Damon H. who could go lap after lap and hit the same sweet spot each time - smooth as you like - a joy to watch. Come back Jensen we know you have it in you.
I think Button has what it takes. He has a reputation as a very smooth driver. If a car isn't working like the 2008 Honda you have to chuck it about and this is not Button's style. I think it would be a shame if he lost his seat in 2009 after sticking with Honda this long. He deserves something for that at least.
BTW - I see lewishamilton666 is getting lots of spam - A bit stupid putting your e-mail address on here!
I believe he has what it takes, he just needs the ride underneath him to do it. Let's face it, Honda has not given him what he needs to win!!! Hopefully that will change and he will then be able to compete for the big prize!!
Sorry for all my earlier posts - I realise now that I was used by more intelligent people than myself. I wish I had gone to school.
I think Button deserves one last shot with Honda. He has stuck with them all these years and should be given the chance to prove if he has what it takes. I'm a big Jenson Button fan, more so than Lewis Hamilton, so I for one would love to see him succeed. However I hate to say it, but the jury is still out as to whether he has what it takes or not.
poor poor jenson, had a couple of good years then he's had such bad luck ever since, honda gave him and reuben a car they cant score points in let alone get on the podium,well maybe not reuben,think its more about who's hanging on to the steering wheel,get over yourself button
Button suddenly made himself an enemy of the UK community by saying he could win the title if he had Hamilton's car. I feel sorry for him. May be Timo can teach him the good manners.
All Button needs is a decent car its time Honda pulled there finger out
All Button needs is a decent car
sorry jensen i do respect you but in my opinion its time for you to move on after all these years you have blamed everything but yourself and it is time for honda to try some new blood, i am surprised that they have kept you this long for if i was in charge of honda racing you would have gone after 2 years, i wish you luck and good fortune in what ever you do
pauljgregory......
"Button sticks with the team even when the going is tough, he doesnt jump ship year in year out looking for the best ride that year!"
So, when the Frome Flunkster decided to cry like a baby and buy his way out of his contract with Williams, he wasn't really jumping ship and looking for a better ride?
pauljgregory: Could not agree more with that and all the other pro-button comments. He is a good driver and I think in a good car he could challenge the top boys.
Please Honda get Jenson and Rubino a great car next year.
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